The Maine State Employees Association said on Thursday that Michaud's advocacy for affordable health care among other things earned him their endorsement in the 2014 election.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ The union representing Maine state workers is putting their support behind Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud for Maine governor.

The Maine State Employees Association said on Thursday that Michaud's advocacy for affordable health care among other things earned him their endorsement in the 2014 election.

Michaud is running to unseat Republican Gov. Paul LePage next year. LePage hasn't officially launched his re-election bid but has started fundraising. Independent candidate Eliot Cutler, who lost to LePage by less than 2 percentage points in the 2010 election, is also running.

Union members say in a statement that Michaud, who is serving his sixth term representing Maine's 2nd Congressional District, has a proven record protecting Maine's working families.